Reclamation Bureau March 1, 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Pursuant to section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), CEQ NEPA Regulations (40 CFR 1502.9[c][1]), and Public Resources Code, sections 21000-21177 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 15088.5 of the CEQA Guidelines, the Bureau of Reclamation the lead Federal agency, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), a cooperating Federal agency, and the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), the lead State agency, have made available for public review and comment a Draft SEIS/REIR for the Battle Creek Salmon and Steelhead Restoration Project (Restoration Project). The notice of availability of the original joint Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report) (Draft EIS/ EIR) and notice of public workshop and notice of public hearing was published in the Federal Register on Friday July 18, 2003 (68 FR 42758). Numerous comments addressing a wide range of issues were received on the Draft EIS/EIR, with some warranting circulation of supplemental/revised information to the original joint environmental document. The Draft SEIS/REIR will disclose a new environmental analysis and propose mitigation regarding the increased risk of fish disease infection at private aquaculture facilities through the increase of naturally-spawning Battle Creek salmon and steelhead species under the Restoration Project. In addition, the Draft SEIS/REIR will disclose the potentially significant environmental effects of spreading certain harmful fish diseases from Battle Creek via private trout aquaculture operations that transfer trout from facilities in the Project Area to other State waters. The Draft SEIS/REIR will also disclose information regarding the 8 Dam Removal alternative and its dismissal from further consideration.